New Kiwis head coach Stacey Jones confirms staff for 2024 Pacific Championships

07/25/2024 03:00 AM

New head coach Stacey Jones has announced his staff for his debut season in charge of the NZ Kiwis.

His tenure will kick off later this year with New Zealand's defence of their Pacific Championship crown.

SENZ understands Australia will also feature in the series, while Mate Ma'a Tonga will replace 2023 participants Samoa.

Jones has named three assistants in fellow former Kiwis internationals Nathan Cayless and Adam Blair, as well as Australian Steve Price.

Price - an assistant with the NRL's Cronulla Sharks - returns for his third year with the Kiwis, having first joined the team for their 2021 World Cup campaign.

Jones' former Kiwis teammate and World Cup-winning captain Nathan Cayless is also back in the fold, after serving as an assistant with the side last year.

"Steve Price brings his defensive mindset," Jones explained. "That was a big part of the group last year, having a strong defensive game plan and he brought that.

"Nathan Cayless has a strong connection with our middle forwards and brings both attacking and defensive knowledge."

Blair brings his 50 caps of experience into the fold for his maiden year with NZ Kiwis, having worked with the Kiwis A team in 2023.

Jones says keeping a similar coaching structure in place for his players had been a priority, when making his staffing selections.

"It is very important to keep familiar people around the team," Jones noted.

"I expressed to a few senior players when I got the job that I wanted to keep things as familiar as possible, knowing that the people involved were quality coaches."

Among the team's wider staff are former head coach Stephen Kearney (culture and leadership advisor), plus ex-Kiwis Daryl Halligan (kicking coach) and David Solomona.

"It's important having past players around so that the present playing group has a good understanding of what the past has brought to the jersey."

The Kiwis clinched last year's Pacific Championships title with their famous 30-0 demolition of the Kangaroos in the final in Hamilton.

NZRL says a full schedule for the series will be released later this year.

Kiwis head coach Stacey Jones will join Ian Smith on SENZ Mornings from 11am Friday - find your local frequency here and download the SENZ app today.